Forest of Enchantments Book Review.

 

The forest of enchantments is a mythological biography written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

Mrs.Banerjee is famous  for weaving her heroic feminist stories such as Draupadi in The palace of Illusions (narrative of Mahabharata through Draupadi's perspective)writings in her books. This book revolves around one of the famous Epic also known as Adikavya Ramayana's character Sita. To be more precise its sita biography and the whole narration of Ramayana through her perspective. Sita's character is totally different in the novel when compared to other ramayana's she is portrayed as a feminist more like the heroic rebel character in traditional times.

The novel is a mythological thriller and starts with Sita living in Valmiki's ashram (Valmiki is the author of Ramayana). 

She is disturbed, from inside she is torn into pieces, and doesn't want to recall her past or anything related to her husband Rama. But Indeed she is determined to write her version the sitayaan believing that at least her voice her part could be heard in text form and in the hope to give the forthcoming women's generation her experiences and describe how cruel society is. Somehow she gathers her all strength and starts her story from her earlier childhood in Janakpuri describing her early life with her parents King Janak and Queen Sunaina and her sister Urmila. She feels that her life was simpler there. The first four chapters also describes that even though being an adopted child and also somehow being an heiress to the throne how easily she was welcomed and accepted. Sita describes that even though how orthodox the society was in her early times she was raised just keeping them behind and also explained that there was no gender inequality among her parents her father the king Janak used to take much advice from her mother the queen sunaina whenever necessary. In fact, she says that the reason for the well-being of the Kingdom even after a major earthquake was because of her mother and her exceptional contribution to the kingdom's important decisions.

The reason Chitra's sitayaan was a huge hit because it has feminist ideology all over the novel. The Ramayana was composed in the early 300 BC times and it is regarded as the first epic in Indian mythology. This novel is an easy debunk of the myth that traditional Indian society is not feminist especially in early times.

The next two chapters describe her Adulthood life. The way she was trained martial fight and also the way she was helping her people through her knowledge in medical plants learning politics and important issues with thin the kingdom from her father.Her initial meeting with Shri ram in Gauri temple of her palace. How she was mesmerized by him,all she was wishing for being with him till her last breath and later on the swayamwar.The way swayamwar was gate-crashed by Ravana because of her uncle and the way they deal with it.Her new life in the kingdom of Ayodhya with new members of the family.

The later chapters are on her exile in forests and her delight in living in nature's lap. The story takes a twist on Ravana's entry by her abduction how she survived in Lanka Ravana's kingdom and how she remained Astrud and strong in times of much uncertainty. Later on discovery from Ravana's wife that sita is their daughter and digging in the past that Ravana initially had a daughter but had left her as priests said that she will be the reason for Ravana's destruction.Mandodari ravana's wife confirms this even with her spies that sita was their daughter but sita confidentally dismisses it but mandodari is all way feels nostalgic and sad. There will be a war against Ram and Ravana which is won by the ram. Sita is back to kingdom Ayodhya. But the story has another twist there are rumors around the kingdom about sita loyalty being in Lanka might have changed her and Shriram should immediately leave her. Shri Ram is known for his dutiful nature but he also loves and trusts his wife totally but because of people, he instructs his brother to leave her in the forest.

During that time she was pregnant with Ram's children while she was left alone in the forest, she lands up in Valmiki's ashram. She also delivers the twins there even though she was totally broken inside she never let herself and her children develop hatred against the ram. Her children grow up by learning Ramayana composed by Valmiki and also display it in the court of Ayodhya as disciples of Valmiki. Rama discovers sita and his children after some time even ask sita to return to Ayodhya with children In the ending she comes to the fierce and feminine part she profounds refuses it in front of the court blaming everybody including ram that she was abandoned during her most fragile times she curses society for their narrow mindedness rumor which led her in that phase. She is in all heroic form done with all of her patience lastly leaves her life with a heavy heart into the ground.

According to The Hindu the daily Newspaper, there are 300 versions of Ramayana but I assure you that this will be your favorite because its sitayaan

The author in the prologue says that we always hear blessings as may god give you as patience as sita as endurance as her to deal with troubles but I think nothing has changed all over years the society still points on women they are still treated and are dealing with many inequality issues. Even the blessing says to tolerate not to raise voice women are always expected to keep their mouth shut, to be honest people who know me know that  I'm not a much kind of feminist but these are realities that should be reflected on. I would definitely suggest this book to everyone and especially to those people who say dialogs like women are the sole reason for major wars in history like Draupadi Kurukshetra war and sita in Rama vs Ravana war let those read and understand at least the women perspective by this book before making such huge censures.